Mixed metal oxide
Encyclopedia
Mixed metal oxide electrodes are devices with useful properties for chemical electrolysis
. The term refers to electrodes in which the surface contains two kinds of metal oxides. One kind, usually RuO2, IrO2, or PtO0.12, conducts electricity and catalyzes the desired reaction such as production of chlorine
gas. The other metal oxide is typically titanium dioxide
which does not conduct or catalyze the reaction, but is cheaper and prevents corrosion of the interior. The interior of the electrode is typically made of titanium. The amount of precious metal (that is, other than the titanium) can be around 10 to 12 grams per square metre.
Applications include electrolytic cells for producing free chlorine
from saltwater in swimming pools, and anodes for cathodic protection of buried or submerged structures.
Electrolysis
In chemistry and manufacturing, electrolysis is a method of using a direct electric current to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction...
. The term refers to electrodes in which the surface contains two kinds of metal oxides. One kind, usually RuO2, IrO2, or PtO0.12, conducts electricity and catalyzes the desired reaction such as production of chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
gas. The other metal oxide is typically titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula . When used as a pigment, it is called titanium white, Pigment White 6, or CI 77891. Generally it comes in two different forms, rutile and anatase. It has a wide range of...
which does not conduct or catalyze the reaction, but is cheaper and prevents corrosion of the interior. The interior of the electrode is typically made of titanium. The amount of precious metal (that is, other than the titanium) can be around 10 to 12 grams per square metre.
Applications include electrolytic cells for producing free chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
from saltwater in swimming pools, and anodes for cathodic protection of buried or submerged structures.